Device fob holding newspapebs and the like



G. w. WERTMANJ DEVICE FOR HOLDING NEWSPAPERS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9. 1920.

Patented. Feb. 15,1921

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wane/a0 tremely simple in construction DEVICE FOR HOLDING -NEWSPAPERS AN D THE LIKE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 15, 1921.

Application filed September a, 1920. Serial no. 409,269;

To all whom it may canoe-"m:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. \VEaTMAN, a citizen of the United States, residlng at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Holding Newspapers and the like; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to an im roved device which is especially designed or holding newspapers, letters and the like.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple device of this class which includes spring-pressed jaws by which the paper or other parcel is held, the free extremities of these jaws being flared to provide an entrance for the paper, thus facilitating the insertion of the papers between the jaws.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned class which the spring for holding the jaws in closed position is such that it serves the additional function of holding small articles such as letters and the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of this class which is exhighly effective in use, very easy to install or attach to any suitable place, one which is adaptable for holding various articles; and one which is comparatively inexpensive to both the manufacturer and the user.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 1s a perspective view of a device constructed in accordance with my invention, disclosing the manner in which it is used.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged perspective view with the articles removed so as to disclose the construction of the device more clearly.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the device.

Referring to the drawings, wherein the preferred embodiment of the invention 1s clearly disclosed, it will be seen that the numeral 1 designates an attaching member preferably made of wood so as to permit it to be nailed on a post on a porch, or on a gate post whichever may be desirable. Secured near the upper end of the 'member 1 by means of screws or other suitable fastenmgs 21s an L-shaped plate 3. Hingedly connected as indicated at 4 to the free end of the laterally directed end portion of the plate 3 is another plate 5 which is movable toward and from the plate 3 to permit a paper or other parcel to be inserted between the two plates and held. The upper extremities of both of the plates 3 and 5 are directed outwardly or flared to provide an entrance whereby the insertion of the newspaper between the plates will be facilitated. A sprlng 6 is employed for the purpose of forcing the plate 5 toward the plate 3 so that the newspaper will be gripped and held against displacement. This spring 6 may be 0 any other construction, but it is referably 1n the form of a flat strip 0 metal which is secured at one of its ends by suitable fastenmgs to the laterally directed lower end of the plate 3 as indicated at 7 belng extended beyond this portion and directed upwardly and curved in the manner disclosed so as to engage the plate 5 intermediate its ends and force it toward the plate 3. It is to be noted that the upper free end of the spring 6 is directed outwardly and away from the plate 5 as indicated at 8. By constructin the spring in this manner, it serves the additional function of holding letters and small articles as illustrated in Fig. 1. Particular emphasis is to be laid on this spring construction since it is extremely sim ple and very advantageous because it serves two purposes as above described.

In use, the member 1 is attached upon a post on the porch, or on a gate post either in a vertical or a horizontal position, the vertical position being preferred. If the device is placed on a gate post, the carrier can ride along on a bicycle for instance, and by doubling the paper as indicated in Fig. 1, he may readily insert the same between the plates 3 and 5 without stopping. Furthermore, the mail-man may also make use of the same device by inserting a letter behind the flat spring 6, which, as before ters and the like, which is very easy to attach to any suitable place, is very effective in operation and is extremely simple and inexpensive. I am aware that devlces for accomplishing the same purpose have been invented and patented, but I do not know of any device which is as simple and as effective in operation as my device. Furthermore, I ilo not claim such broad construction.

A careful consideration of the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, will enable persons skilled in the art to which this invention appertains to obtain a clear understanding of the same, therefore, further description is deemed unnecessary.

Inasmuch as effective results may be obtained with the construction and arrangement herein described and shown, this construction and arrangement is taken as a preferred embodiment of my invention, but

I wish it to be understood that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

1. A device of the class described comprising an attaching member, an L-shaped plate rigidly secured to said member, another plate of substantially the same length as the first plate hingedly connected at its lower end to the free end of the short arm of the first named plate, the free ends of said plates being directed outwardly from each other to provide an entrance to facilitate insertion of an article between the plates, a flat spring secured at one of its ends to the short arm of the first named plate, its opposite end bearing against the movable plate for forcing the latter toward the other plate, the free end of said spring being directed away from the adjacent plate to facilitate the insertion of a letter between itself and said plate.

2. A device of the class described comprising a stationary member, a movable member pivotally connected at its lower end to said first member, and a fiat spring secured at one of its ends to the stationary member, its opposite end bearing against the movable member for forcing the latter toward the former, said spring also serving to hold a letter or the like between itself and the movable member and its free end being directed away from the movable member to form an entrance whereby the insertion of the letter will be facilitated.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

GEORGE W. WERTMAN. 

